The rich cultural history of Onitsha, the commercial center of Anambra, was on exhibit on Saturday to commemorate Igwe Alfred Achebe’s 22nd anniversary of becoming the Obi of Onitsha.
Achebe is the head of the Joint Body of Southeast Council of Traditional Rulers and Representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops on Peace and Reconciliation as well as the chairman of the Southeast Traditional Rulers Council.
At the Ime-Obi palace, the seat of the traditional stool of Onitsha, Achebe declared the Ofala celebration open while performing a vibrant royal dance with his Obi-in-Council.
The Odu named women’s group approached the stage to formally welcome the enormous visitors while tastefully decked out in all-white headgear, wrappers, and boots.
Igwe Achebe expressed worry about the security situation in the Southeast geopolitical zone and its consequent detrimental socioeconomic impact on the people during his speech at the vibrant event.
He said that the Sit-At-Home protest has caused the Igbo people irreparable harm, and he added that all five of the states in the zone had suffered since the poorly thought out non-state actor approach.
“Following eight years of the previous administration, the early economic measures by the new administration, the unilateral removal of the fuel subsidy without a back-up strategy are seriously deepening the hardship in the country, particularly at the lower rungs of the society.
“In effect, the country is at a dangerous crossroads politically, economically, socially, and security-wise.
“In the Southeast, we have the aftermath of the last general elections; the complex and protracted security situation involving kidnappers, political thugs, state and non-state actors, masquerading as unknown gunmen,” he said.
The celebration, which was supported by the well-known Nigerian telecoms company Globacom and Hero Beer, was attended by Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra as well as a few other renowned traditional rulers from all around the state.
In his message of goodwill, Governor Soludo congratulated Igwe Achebe on his 22nd birthday and the contributions made by the residents of Onitsha to the state’s growth.
He reaffirmed his dedication to the growth of the broader Onitsha city, which included the local governments of Onitsha North, Onitsha South, Idemili North, Ogbaru, and Oyi.
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